Media failing us

It's less than a week until the mayoral election and a majority of Pittsburghers don't even know the names of the two independent candidates running for mayor, let alone their positions on the issues.

Whose fault is that? Are we that apathetic? Or is it impossible to run a successful political campaign without gobs of money for advertising?

Isn't it the responsibility of the media to bring those candidates into our homes? Why must the evening news be about hype and sensationalism without substance? We know about a road rage incident on the Parkway East but is that going to help us balance the city's budget and stay the exodus of young people?

I don't want another four years of a rock-star wannabe mayor more concerned with having his picture taken with the Obamas than with the financial well-being of this city. I want an Ivy League-educated mayor who would have had the sense to commission a panel to determine the feasibility of bringing the G-20 summit here before saying, "Sure!"

I thirst for a mayor who is more passionate about the people in the city than about filling his scrapbook with pictures of himself and the Super Bowl champions or the Stanley Cup winners - a leader who knows the difference between right and wrong and doesn't need to be told that it's inappropriate to drive a federally owned, Department of Homeland Security vehicle to a Toby Keith concert.

Is that Kevin Acklin or Doc Harris? We don't know, because the media didn't think this election was important enough to cover until recently and it's just too late.

 

 

 

DAVID GROH

Green Tree City